Dear Santa…… (I want to play lacrosse)

By Aaron Skomial

Every year we have kids celebrating the joyful season of receiving gifts from Santa and family. They enjoy giving the gifts as well, but let’s be honest; most are really excited about receiving the gifts. So in light of the giving season what should every girl be asking for this season?

Lacrosse equipment for the spring season!

Okay, maybe not all girls have that at the top of their wish list, but I know a lot that do. Why is that?  Last season our girls from Hartland High School made it to the State Championship game and brought a lot of excitement to our community.  They played hard and came up a little short, but it wasn’t because they lacked effort.

In July, the high school girls hosted a free clinic for K-8 players and also hosted an Alumni game. The clinic had over 50 kids come out and participate in the clinic.  23 players came to try it for the first time. The clinic allowed kids to come out and learn a new game and get acquainted with the action that the game provides.

The girl’s middle school program will be hosting lacrosse registrations at Ore Creek Middle School on January 15 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The lacrosse program consists of girls from the third grade through the eighth grade. We have encouraged younger kids to play as well.  If you have never played before, that’s okay.  We have great coaches, plenty of practices, and a lot of games to play so you can have a lot of fun and improve throughout the season. If you are interested in playing or need questions answered, please contact hartgmslax@yahoo.com. 

The typical season starts in March and ends in June. You can expect to play about 20-30 games a year. Most of the home games are played on Sunday afternoons and away game travel is usually within an hour of Hartland.  The games are fast and scoring is plentiful. Typical scoring is 12-9, or more. It’s fun to watch and especially fun to play.

Lacrosse has such a rich history and our community has embraced it.  Our girls program continues to be successful year in and year out.  The opportunities at the collegiate level are expanding and some of our high school players are going on to play in college next year. We also have players currently in their junior year discussing their playing opportunities with college coaches.

The high school hired a new coach (Deanna Radcliffe) to lead the program in September. Not only does the new coach possess a vast knowledge of the game, she knows how to play.  She played at Temple University and she also coaches the premier travel team in the state, the Michigan Cyclones.  The Cyclones travel to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, and various tournaments around the country.  The team recently played in Fort Myers, Florida in November.

The girl’s lacrosse program is fun and not only do our kids rock, they represent our community well on and off the field.  Just in case you needed an example for Santa:

Dear Santa,

Please let my parents sign me up for lacrosse. I would like a lacrosse stick, goggles, mouth guard, and cleats.  If you could talk to my parents about the lacrosse season and get me these things, I know that I would have a lot of fun this spring.  

Thanks,

Wishful Lax Girl